Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel observed the Ghode Jatra celebrations organized by the Nepali Army at the Tundikhel grounds on Saturday.
Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Dahal, Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, and heads of diplomatic missions in Nepal, among other high-ranking officials, attended the ceremony.
The dignitaries witnessed various equestrian skills demonstrated by the Nepali Army, including horse racing, show jumping, and displays showcasing horses’ traditional roles in transportation, agriculture, hunting, warfare and festivals. The program also featured performances by trained dogs.
On the occasion, President Paudel presented awards to the most outstanding performers.
Ghode Jatra is celebrated every year on the new moon day of the Nepali month of Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April) in Kathmandu Valley. According to legend, the festival originated from the need to subdue the spirit of “Gurumapa”, a demon said to have terrorized children near a tree in the southeastern part of Tundikhel. The ritual involves symbolically trampling Gurumapa’s spirit with horse hooves to prevent it from harming children.
